By Rashmi Goel
In spite of the fact that they aren't the first devices of their type to launch, the Nreal Air AR glasses may find greater acceptance than their predecessors and rivals due to their relatively affordable pricing and the usefulness of their features. As the name implies, the Nreal Air is a pair of sunglasses that can be connected to your phone to show your display in the front of you - similar to a personal television.
With these devices, Netflix, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and a plethora of other entertainment apps can be enjoyed just as if you were at home watching TV on your couch. As we have had limited time to test these glasses, we have been impressed by the HD image and comfortable fit, the latter being the result of the lightweight design. Despite the short list of compatible smartphones, this is one of the most annoying aspects. When we have spent more time testing the Nreal Air, we will be sure to elaborate on this review and provide a final verdict on whether it is a worthwhile device. However, for now, we would like to offer our first impressions of these AR glasses.
Price and Availability
At present, the Nreal Air AR glasses are available exclusively from Verizon and EE in the United States and the United Kingdom, respectively, for $600 and £400, respectively. Customers of EE in the UK may elect to pay a single upfront fee or spread it out over several months using its Add To Plan option.
Design
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The Nreal Air looks a great deal like a standard pair of specs as opposed to the previous iteration of AR glasses. While the untrained eye may be able to spot a few key differences, there are no cameras present, so the AR aspect cannot be clearly observed. Having no camera eliminates many of the privacy concerns that plagued previous devices, such as the Google Glass and Ray-Ban Stories. The security of your vision is protected and those around you can rest easy knowing they are not being recorded without their consent. Nonetheless, these are not your typical glasses. The Nreal Air must be plugged into your phone to function. Through a port at the end of one of the glasses, you can easily connect your devices using the USB-C cable that's included in the box.
Despite not being as free as entirely wireless headphones, we never had any trouble moving our heads around while connected. While wearing the glasses, it presented a few problems that we actually did not notice the cable, except while removing and putting on the glasses. The glasses are extremely lightweight since they are powered by your phone and do not possess an internal battery. They are just 90 grams (0.2 pounds) in weight. Nevertheless, they will drain your phone's battery relatively quickly, particularly if you use them for an extended period of time. Other than the outer lenses, the Nreal Air can clearly be distinguished from a normal pair of spectacles by its inner lenses. AR glasses are enabled by these technologies, which reflect an image of the screen on your smartphone in such a way that it appears to float in front of you.
Two speakers are also built into each arm of the glasses, and the right arm has brightness control and a power button. To change the sound levels, you must rely on your phone's – or headphones' – controls. We never dimmer the screen, so we'd prefer if the brightness controls on the arm were replaced by managed audio controls. Along with the power cable, Nreal Air glasses come with a carry case you can use to store them, nose pieces you can use to improve fit, and a prescription lens optional attachment that you can use. Also included is a plastic lens cover. As well as providing some modest protection, the cover also provides privacy and clarity, providing a backdrop for watching and aiding in the clarity of your vision.
Performance
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The Nreal Air AR glasses are more akin to a portable personal projector than a television. This means that the image through the glasses works best when viewed against a plain, opaque background in a room not filled with bright light. For those who are outside or facing a bright light source, they will need to use the optional visor for any chance of seeing what is displayed.
Nonetheless, the glasses' HD image is pretty impressive. The device's screen size and relative screen size provide more than enough compensation for the lack of 4K resolution and the lack of vibrant colors. In terms of size, it is approximately the same as having a 130-inch TV 4m away from you - while it is not completely vision-filling, it is certainly more immersive than merely staring at your phone. The performance of the audio is, in a word, excellent. While not as dynamic as a great pair of headphones, it is more than sufficient if you do not mind people around you hearing what you're listening to. Fortunately, you will be able to muffle the AR glasses speakers by using headphones, just like your smartphone.
It is not only the specs of the glasses that are important, as the Nreal Air can only be used with select smartphones. These devices include the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, and the Oppo Find X5, among others. Sadly, this list is quite short. Compatibility is determined by the hardware of the smartphone, which further complicates matters. The best way for you to try these out would be to obtain a brand-new phone unless you already have one of the user devices. It would not be advisable to wait for a software update to be released for your handset.
Conclusion
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As of now, Nreal Air AR glasses have performed exceptionally well in our tests. The screen mirroring function is more than satisfying, whether we are at home on the couch, taking a break in the office, or attempting to pass the time during our commute. There are no incredible visuals in HD, but the near-vision-filling image is good enough to immerse you in your favorite show or video game. While the device certainly has its shortcomings, including clunky controls and limited AR functionality - it projects an image before your eyes, but that is all. There is also a concern over the limited selection of compatible devices.